Chapter 9 - MY COAT, HER LIE
Vanessa sat in my chair before I could leave.
Ryan stayed standing.
That told me more about them than the photograph had.
“Take off my coat,” I said.
She glanced down.
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“Claire, we’re discussing your future.”
“You’re wearing something you stole from my closet. Let’s start with an easy problem.”
People nearby had stopped pretending not to listen.
Vanessa pulled off the coat and dropped it across the empty chair.
I picked it up.
“Now move.”
“You need to hear this.”
“No. You need me to sign something.”
Her smile thinned.
“Luca isn’t what you think.”
“I think he withheld information to protect his business. I think he’s controlling when he’s scared. I think he owes several people an apology.”
Vanessa blinked.
I leaned closer.
“You’ll need something I don’t know.”
She lowered her voice.
“He’ll choose his company over you.”
“Maybe. But you chose my husband over ten years of friendship. You’re not a character witness.”
Ryan touched her shoulder.
“Vanessa.”
She shrugged him off.
There it was.
Not love.
An alliance with bad manners.
My phone vibrated.
Elena.
Don’t agree to anything. Ashford’s ownership includes Martin’s brother.
I looked at Vanessa.
“The sale,” I said. “How much do you get?”
For the first time, her expression slipped.
Only a fraction.
Enough.
Ryan stared at her.
“What sale?”
She stood too quickly.
“We’re leaving.”
Ryan didn’t move.
“What sale, Vanessa?”
I took a photograph of the settlement proposal and left the original on the table.
Outside, Luca waited beside his car.
I hadn’t asked him to come.
“Elena told me the meeting was happening,” he said. “I stayed outside.”
I held up my coat.
“Got something back.”
“Are you okay?”
“No.”
He nodded.
No promise. No command.
Just room for the answer.
We stood there until my breathing settled.
Then my phone rang.
Mom.
“Claire, there’s a man at the house.”
My body went cold.
“What man?”
“He says he’s here to photograph the property for the lender.”
“Don’t let him inside.”
“He’s already in the backyard.”
I turned toward Luca.
He opened the passenger door.
May you like
We were moving before Mom said the rest.
“He asked when your father would be home.”
